Search results

The purpose of this paper is to explore the distribution of local thermal sensitivity of human body heating and the local preferred heating temperature, and the influence of this sensitive division on thermal response when heating human body in cold environment.

Eight subjects were invited to use carbon fiber heating patches in an environment of 5 and RH 50%, and eight body parts were selected to explore the heating sensitivity. By measuring the skin temperature and evaluating the subjective thermal sensation and thermal comfort, the thermal sensitivity of local body segments and the influence of single-zone and double-zone heating on human thermal response were explored.

The sensitivity of local heating on overall thermal sensation (OTS) was foot > back > chest > abdomen > waist > elbow > hand > knee. Both single-zone and double-zone heating can improve the OTS, but double-zone heating can reach thermal neutrality and thermal comfort. In order to prevent the high temperature of heating patches from damaging human body, the local skin temperature should be monitored in the design of local heating clothing, and 39.6 should be taken as the upper limit of local skin temperature.

The results provide a theoretical basis for the selection of heating position in local electric heating clothing (EHC) and the design of intelligent temperature adjustment heating clothing, improve the performance of local EHC and reduce energy consumption.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.

Index by subjects, compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.

Promoting clean heating in rural areas is crucial for achieving a low-carbon transition of energy consumption and China's dual-carbon target. The study aims to consider the energy stacking behavior in heating energy use, reveals the determinants that affect household cleaner heating choices under the winter clean heating plan (WCHP), and proposes policy recommendations for the sustainable promotion of clean heating.

With unique rural household survey data covering the clean heating pilot regions in northern China in 2020, this study estimates the relationship between driving factors and heating energy choices through binary and multivariate probit models.

The regression estimates show that the main drivers of heating energy choices include household income per capita, education level of household head, knowledge of the WCHP, access to heating subsidies and perception of indoor air pollution. There is energy stacking behavior in rural household heating energy use. Household decisions to adopt electricity or clean coal heating are correlated with firewood or soft coal use.

This study is one of the few to investigate the heating energy use of rural households by allowing for the adoption of multiple energy types. Combined with a unique microsurvey dataset, it could provide rich information for formulating proper energy transition planning. The findings also shed light on the importance of heating subsidies, households' knowledge of WCHP and awareness of environmental health in choosing clean heating energy, which has not been fully valued in related research.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the changes in sensory qualities of jaew sauce as heat is applied and to determine its acceptance level among Thai and foreign consumers.

Jaew sauce was heated for six hours and samples were collected at 1.5 hours interval. The color of jaew sauce was measured using color spectrophotometer and consumers examined the underlying sensory qualities of jaew sauce using sorting technique. A total of 40 Thai and foreign consumers were asked to sort the commercial and the heated jaew sauce samples according to the similarities and dissimilarities in sensory characteristics and provide descriptions for explanation of each group. A consumer test with 100 Thai and foreign consumers was also conducted to determine the acceptance of jaew sauce.

Alterations in the sensory qualities, mainly color, were observed. Prolong heating resulted in darker color. The sorting results showed that Thai and foreign consumers have similar perception of jaew sauce. Similar groupings of jaew sauce was observed, which could be divided into four groups, commercial, 0 hour heating, 1.5 and 3 hours heating, and 4.5 and 6 hours heating. Agreeing results of both Thai and foreign consumers showed that commercial and 0 hour heating samples were most preferred and the acceptance of jaew sauce decreased as it was heated.

Despite the extensive usage of jaew, very few are available commercially in the market. The fact that Thai and foreign consumers have similar preference infer that jaew sauce has a high potential to be adopted and accepted among foreigners to a large extent if available commercially. This study also provides a basis into further research on an appropriate packaging and shelf-life study of jaew sauce for commercial purposes.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the methodological problems involved in planning and designing housing programmes and to discuss the cognitive structure and context of residential housing through a comprehensive questionnaire that examined various aspects of the housing environment. In the last two decades, Jordan has established several housing programmes consisting of multistory buildings for the limited income group. Such new programmes yield conflicts and face cultural constraints that need to be understood and resolved. Based on 400 mailed survey questionnaires, the major focus of the study has been the determination of the needs and preferences of the clients in housing and suggesting responses that are empathetic and consistent with their lifestyles, values and family patterns. The key to establishing a successful housing sector appears to be the ability of developers to adequately identify these issues. Several factors of cognitive structure were attained: space and the high cost of housing are the key considerations from a client's point of view; the interior design of buildings is below expectations; and outdoor space and materials used for the exterior are also important factors in determining a preference for some housing features. Other factors such as exterior appearance, functionality, kitchen size, type of community and neighbourhood, housing proximity to community facilities, and heating systems must also receive adequate consideration. Another important implication is that individuals within the same income and educational level may not necessarily share the same assumptions with regard to their needs and aspirations. Therefore, a clearly defined strategy will help designers and managers in a young expanding sector to establish various and high quality housing programmes; hence, the better the image, the more able it is to attract customers. The findings identify some of the barriers that could limit the acceptance of new housing features, and offer insights into how such features could be effectively explained and linked to the wants and needs of clients. Therefore, programme managers and developers must understand the sources of competitive advantage in the housing sector; this can make the difference in gaining and retaining customers. The customer's perception is a complex construct, and there are significant interrelations between housing design and human behaviour of which we are almost completely ignorant.

The Howard Shuttering Contractors case throws considerable light on the importance which the tribunals attach to warnings before dismissing an employee. In this case the tribunal took great pains to interpret the intention of the parties to the different site agreements, and it came to the conclusion that the agreed procedure was not followed. One other matter, which must be particularly noted by employers, is that where a final warning is required, this final warning must be “a warning”, and not the actual dismissal. So that where, for example, three warnings are to be given, the third must be a “warning”. It is after the employee has misconducted himself thereafter that the employer may dismiss.

There is a clear consensus that improving energy efficiency of existing housing stock is necessary to meet the UK’s legally binding carbon emission targets by 2050. The purpose of this paper is to assess the energy saving potentials from building retrofit using an end-terrace house, similar houses represent about 30 per cent of the existing building stock in the UK.

The Salford Energy House – a unique pre-1919 Victorian end-terrace house built within an environmental chamber – was used. Retrofit modelling analysis was carried out using IESVE – a dynamic thermal simulation tool. The retrofitted model was also evaluated using future projected climate data (CIBSE latest release) to examine energy demands and overheating.

Findings show that improving building fabric thermal characteristics can reduce space heating demands substantially. Heating modes, set point preferences and infiltration level all have strong impact on heating demands. Space heating demand savings can be as much as 77 per cent when the property facades were upgraded to the similar requirements of Passivhaus standards. The research implicates that, for dwelling retrofit practices, a whole house holistic approach should be the preferred option to improve energy efficiency. With future climate scenarios where temperatures are potentially elevated, the heating demands can be potentially reduced as much as 27 per cent.

The likelihood of overheating in dwellings after a deep retrofit due to future elevated temperatures becomes apparent. Therefore, mitigation of overheating risk becomes a necessity for future domestic housing stock retrofit planning and policy making.

The research presented in this paper highlights the effectiveness of various retrofit measures individually as well as holistically, also the implications on energy demands and the likelihood of overheating in dwellings under future climate scenarios.